Yesterday we celebrated Sarah's eighth birthday. In the afternoon we took a group of girls to the movie Nanny McPhie. Later, we all gathered at the house with Papa Dave, Grandma Mary, Unclie William, (soon to be) Aunt Kim, Aunt Chrystal, Joshua and other assorted friends for dinner, cake and ice cream. Five girls then spent the night with Sarah. Here are a few pictures from a big day! 

When seven young girls get together, it is only natural that the makeup party begins. 

Here is Cayley as her alter ego Duke. I am not sure how it started, but Duke came out when the hat went on. 

At about 10PM, it was time for karaoke. 

Unlce William held back Sarah's hair to make sure we avoided a potential birthday flame out. 

Does this girl look like she is eight years old? 

The excitement of gift opening filled the room. 

Sarah thanking her friend Alexandriafor her gift. 

Here is Sarah's birthday gang, (from left to right) Emily Kate, Alexandria (in back), Samantha, Daniella (front center), Karen (Daniella's twin sister), Sarah and Cayley.

Sarah turns eight this weekend!

We have a big weekend planned to celebrate Sarah's eighth birthday (half way to driving!). We are hauling a group of girls to a movie tomorrow afternoon after which we will have a few more people over to the house for cake and ice cream. Then five or six girls are spending the night (I think Joshua is going to escape to his friends house across the street). Please stop by on Sunday to see all of the photos of the BIG event.

Here are a few pictures of Sarah from years past.

Holloween 2001 

A bumble bee and a vampire. Quite a pair! 

The years have flown by. Were our children ever really this young? 

Blowing out the candles on birthday number three. 

Sarah and Debbie admiring a gift. 

Here is the little princess sometime around her third birthday.

Great Report Cards Again!

Two more great report cards for Joshua and Sarah again today. Joshua received straight A's and Sarah had all plus's. We are very proud of them.

Joshua has received 38 A's and two B's since he started receiving letter grades in third grade.

Sarah is having a great second grade. She is reading well above grade level and is very good in math. We are very lucky parents!

Well, my Prism final gave up the ghost last week after eleven years and 200,000 miles. I was kind of hoping it would make it a little longer. The good thing about it is I got to buy a car today. I went with a used one, a 2001 Pontiac Bonneville. It has relatively low miles and is in excellent condition. It is kind of nice driving a larger car! The kids were excited and I think Joshua is OK with his friends seeing him ride with me now (not to mention Debbie!).

Here is Joshua playing some tight defense. This is his fourth year playing basketball (along with the other kids on his team). The improvement they are showing over the previous years is quite impressive! 

Joshua played his first basketball game of the year today. His team is named the Georgetown Hoyas (the league he is in uses Big East team names). Joshua's team won 33-18 with Joshua scoring thje final basket on a sweet cut into the lane and a great catch and shoot. There is one boy on the team who is a terrific passer and was setting up his teammates for easy shots all game. Very impressive for a fifth and sixth grade league.